This week immigrants and their supporters began a four-day, round-the-clock “sleep-out” protest outside the Brooklyn home of Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. They’re demanding the Senate majority leader overrule the Senate parliamentarian and include an immigration policy in the Build Back Better budget reconciliation package. This is Alejandra Marin, an undocumented essential worker and member of the group New Immigrant Community Empowerment.

Alejandra Marin: “We need a change in the laws in this country. We need Congress, President Biden, Kamala — Schumer, we are here in front of your house asking for immigration reform for the 11 million undocumented. We are the backbone, the foundation of this economy. We deserve justice. We deserve equality. We deserve human respect as people, as human beings, as essential workers of this country. For that reason, I am here with all of you today to fight for a just immigration reform for all immigrants and essential workers of this country.”